LG Electronics on Sunday launched a special league tournament of “StarCraft II” in 3-D.

The tournament to advertise the company’s 3-D panels started in Gwangju, and will move onto Incheon, Busan, Daegu and Daejeon, the electronics maker said.

After the preliminary games, the final will be held in Seoul on May 18.

LG Electronics said it will be installing its Cinema 3-D TVs in key points in all the cities and tournament venues, while also equipping exhibition halls with 3-D laptops and monitors.

The company expected up to 200,000 people to watch the games.

LG also stressed that its indigenous film-type patterned retarder 3-D technology would allow crowds to watch the games, which would be impossible using the 3-D technology of its rivals. 

The 3-D StarCraft II tournament was a part of LG Electronics’ advertising campaign to reach out to consumers directly and show them the superiority of its technology, company officials said.

Another objective is to introduce LG’s 3-D glasses, which do not require batteries and are much lighter than existing eyewear.

The tournament winner will walk away with 10 million won of prize money and a 55-inch Cinema 3-D TV.

Those wanting to participate can do so via the tournament website at www.cinema3d.co.kr.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)